Potluck in the Park — Feeding Portland Since 1991

Three Decades of Feeding, Caring and Connecting

For more than three decades, Potluck in the Park has served a free, hot meal to anyone in need—rain or shine, 52 weeks a year. Every Sunday, 300 to 550 Portlanders share a nourishing meal and a sense of community, thanks to the generosity of our volunteers and donors.

Since 1991, Potluck in the Park has remained a 100% volunteer-driven, grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit with no paid staff or office. Every dollar donated goes directly toward preparing, storing, and serving meals for those who might otherwise go without.

Each server, cook, and organizer is a volunteer—many representing schools, service groups, and faith communities across Portland. Food is donated by individuals, businesses, and organizations of all kinds, then supplemented weekly through additional community contributions.

We extend heartfelt thanks to our many partners and supporters, including Safeway, Trader Joes, Market of Choice, Dave’s Killer Bread and Birch Community Services. 

The holidays hold special meaning at Potluck. Every Christmas Day, our volunteers transform the space into a festive dining room and serve a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings to more than 1,000 guests. Live music from local musicians—including longtime friend Tom Grant—fills the air, while guests enjoy warm food, conversation, and a sense of belonging. Santa stops by for photos and stockings are shared.

For over 30 years, Potluck in the Park has stood for food, friendship, and dignity—proving that when a community comes together, everyone has a place at the table.

Did you know?
  • Potluck in the Park has served a meal every Sunday for 1787 consecutive weeks (as of 11/9/2025)
  • Serving hot meals weekly since 1991
  • We serve a free HOT Meal to anyone in need every Sunday when many agencies are closed
  • Potluck not only serves humans but pets too. Pet Pack hands out dog and cat food every Sunday as well. Food donated by Pongo
  • Potluck has a special Christmas dinner that started at the YWCA and is now served at the Portland Art Museum. 
  • We are an all volunteer organization. Without our volunteers in the kitchen, we wouldn’t be able to prepare the meals to serve each week. And, without our volunteers at the park, we would not be able to serve all of the people that come to the park every Sunday.
  • Potluck serves anywhere from 300 to over 550 people every Sunday

We are an ALL VOLUNTEER run organization with no paid staff

  • Our annual operating budget of just over 100,000 dollars provides nearly 1 million dollars in services feeding those less fortunate
  • We have no formal funding – our monies are collected from personal & corporate giving, trusts, foundations and grants.
  • Our organization operates a commercial production kitchen to prepare, clean & store food products
  • We received our 501(c)(3) status in 1998 our Tax ID # is 93-1212531
  • Served for 20 years in the YWCA gym, except for two years during their renovation when we were at the Crystal Ballroom
  • Served our first dinner in the Portland Art Museum 2014
  • 2024 – 1075 Guests
  • Over 300 volunteers help Christmas Eve / Christmas Day.
  • Park Supplies – $6419.36 (Serving utensils, food wrap, paper products, latex gloves)
  • Utilities for the kitchen – $7500.00
  • Gas for the Potluck Van – $3128.75
  • Auto Insurance – $4400.00
  • Repairs and maintenance of the kitchen – $2857.80
  • Pan liners for cooking and serving – $738.42
  • Postage for Potluck mailings – $719.13